Children's illustration portfolio

I just LOVE picture books. I would eat them if I could, that's how much I love them. So getting to create them for a living is truly a dream for me. Here are some illustrations I've really loved making.

Characters are the most fun. I loved creating Lola and Ella for Kathy Urban's Hop Lola Hop series.







Little Finn, from Feeling Love, by Meggie O'Neal. 

 

This little girl who chooses the balloon that isn't 'perfect' and the balloon seller. From A Very Special Balloon by Seth Smith. 

All the dogs for my book, A Shoe is to Chew. And also for The Walking Lady by Elizabeth Winup. 

Grandma's Garden, unpublished.


I love creating atmospheric scenes too. 

From A Billion Dreams, by Becky Hemsley.

Spreads from ABC of Cats by Steve Schechter. 

From Breathe, by Becky Hemsley

From Goldie the Handpicked Flowergirl, by Mindy Weiss

Reviews

Here's a sample of reviews and comments I've received from authors and publishers I've worked with. I think their satisfaction shows how much I enjoy the whole process and I do everything I can to ensure authors, art directors and designers find me easy (and even fun!) to work with.

Siski is both talented and gracious. Her beautiful pictures totally uplifted my manuscript. She always shared her ideas with me as she created the visual story to my words. It was also fun to get to know her through our common interests. I would love to work with her again!
Cindy K, September 2025

Siski is amazing and so talented. She expressed passion and excitement in this project and is a collaborative partner. I have really enjoyed working with her and hope to again in the future!
Payton L, February 2025

Siski was a sheer joy to work with. From day one, she understood the brief perfectly and, on the rare occasion that I wanted to make suggestions, she listened and took them on board. Her artistic work is exactly right for the genre, and the resulting cover design is so good that I keep it on my monitor, to give me the inspiration to keep writing. Wholeheartedly recommended.
— Claire Nicholas, December 2022

Working with SIski Kalla was amazing, Siski was understanding of my communication difficulties and completing the project was a positive first experience for me! The completed cover illustration really took my book to the next level!
— Elle Yoder, October 2022

Siski is has wonderful creative intuition and willingness to collaborate. I trust her vision for my book cover, and overall, I just find working with her such a pleasure. Thank you, Siski!
— Leonora Ross, August 2022

I could not imagine life without Siski. Her illustrations and artwork were perfect. She is responsive and helpful and so kind and just a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her to anyone and everyone!
— Chris Plumley, April 2022

As ever, it's been an absolute delight to work with Siski. She illustrated some spot images of the characters from my upcoming book. Her talent, skill and positive attitude shines through in all of her art. Siski is very easy to work with. I look forward to our next collaboration.
— Kathy Urban, April 2022

Siski is not only a fabulous artist, but a wonderful collaborator. She fully invested herself in my book from the start, and was gracious, thoughtful, terrifically creative, and shared willingly of her experience in my genre. I could not have found a better illustrator or collaborator for my children's book--her sensitivity and intelligence were evident in every lovely painting she did for me.
— Steve Schechter, Nov 16, 2021